Device having built-in digital data device powered by unlimited power source

ABSTRACT

A device having built-in digital data means is powered by an unlimited power source for a lamp-holder, LED bulb, or light device connected to unlimited power source by prongs or a base that can be inserted into a socket that would otherwise receiving a bulb. The device may take the form of a webcam having auto tracking functions and retractable prongs that plug directly into a wall outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application has subject matter in common with the inventor's U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 12/624,621, 12/622,100, 12/318,471,12/318,470, 12/318,473, 12/292,153, 12/232,505, 12/232,035, 12/149,963,12/149,964, 12/073,095, 12/073,889, 12/007,076, 12/003,691, 12/003,809,11/806,711, 11/806,285, 11/806,284, 11/566,322, 11/527,628, 11,527,629,11/498,874, 12/545,992, 12/806,711, 12/806,285, 12/806,284, 12/566,322,12/527,628, 12/527,629, 12/527,631, 12/502,661, 11/498,881, 11/255,981,11/184,771, 11/152,063, 11/094,215, 11/092,742, 11/092,741, 11/094,215,11/094,156. 11/094,155. 10/954,189, 10/902,123, 10/883,719, 10/883,747,10/341,519, 12/545,992, 12/292,580, 12/710,918, 12/624,621, 12/622,000,12/318,471, 12/318,470, 12/318,473, 12/292,153, 12/710,561, 12/710,918,12/711,456, 12/771,003, and 12/951,501.

Of particular relevance are the inventor's U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 13/296,469, filed on Nov. 15, 2011 and directed to a device havingbuilt-in digital data means and powered by an unlimited power source fora lamp holder, and 13/296,508, also filed on Nov. 15, 2011 and directedto a device having built-in digital data means and powered by anunlimited power source for an LED Bulb.

Also of particular relevance are the inventor's U.S. patent applicationSer. Nos. 11/806,285, which discloses an LED night light having multiplefunctions, and 12/951,501, which discloses a lamp holder having abuilt-in LED light.

The current invention involves an LED light, which may be in the form ofa night light, bulb, lamp holder, or other LED illumination device, andwhich has built-in digital device(s) with digital data record, storage,and display functions for digital sound, messages, photos, movies,films, audio, video, etc.

Current home security products available in the marketplace, andespecially wireless home security products, are very expensive.Furthermore, not only are they too costly, they are also too muchtrouble to install (may need engineer to help) and the batteries orpower storage means must be replaced very often.

To solve the problem of frequent battery or storage means replacement,the current invention utilizes an unlimited power source provided by analternating current (AC) electrical outlet into which built-in prongmeans are plugged or to which a screw base is connected, and includescircuit means converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power.

In addition, the current invention incorporates a low cost, supercompact Digital Video (DV) device (hereafter as DV), which is built-intothe said LED light to solve the problems of high cost and difficultinstallation, eliminating the need to hire professional engineers athigh cost per hours and saving wasted time in waiting for aninstallation appointment. The current invention can transmit digitaldata from the digital camera to the display unit while receivingunlimited power directly from built-in prong means in the DV camera orfrom a screw base connected with an AC power source with circuit meansto provide unlimited DC power.

The current invention preferably also provides a DV device having acamera and display screen in one unit so that there is no need fortransmission by wireless means.

Because the DV camera is built into the unlimited power device, and mayincluding an LED light, LED bulb, lamp holder, or other LED illuminationdevice), the invention offers excellent home security. One advantage isthat a bad man into and cannot easily find the DV camera from among avariety of device(s) such as lamp holders on the wall or ceiling,offering the best safety record to protect home and family at any time.

In a preferred embodiment of the current invention, the DV camera caninclude an endless recording that overwrites past digital data so thatit will always update new data without the need to change any storagemeans, so long as the initial installation is selected for certain hoursof recording and certain minutes for the storage section.

The preferred DV device may have the most advanced technical featuresand functions available from the marketplace, which may include anycombination of a (F1) wide Angle or telescope lens assembly and finepixel/HD (1280×720 Pixel)/VGA (720×480 pixels)/good display screen(320×240 pixels) with a light weight, rechargeable batteries, andanywhere from 1.3M up to 12M or more pixels to provide VGS or HD videoor ISO selection; (F2) auto focus/tilt/rotating/moving/scan functions;(F3) a motion sensor by PIR means; (F4) a motion sensor by screendetection; (F5) a night vision selection; (F6) auto power shut-off; (F7)power saving; (F8) built-in screen; (F9) USB means for data delivery;(F10) remote control means; (F11) wireless data transfer to a remotecellular phone/computer/communication device(s); (F12) auto dialing to apolice station; (F13) auto tracking of moving object(s) from ants toelephants or other live objects; (F14) other light means/device(s);(F15) other wireless/remote/IR sensor/PIR sensor/motor(s) features;(F16) any other electric or mechanical functions available from themarketplace for a digital camera or digital video recorder. Any or allsuch features may be selected and incorporated with the preferred DVdevice to make sure people can see, know, and watch the desiredsite/events at any location/place/time.

The DV device may have a plurality of cameras to provide multiple imagesthat can be shown on a screen so as to monitor multiple areas. It willalso be appreciated that the DV device can incorporate an IC chip andrelated circuitry, motor-means, and a motion-sensor with more than onesensor heads to allow a single camera head with auto tracking functionsto follow moving objects.

A preferred embodiment of the built-in DV device of the currentinvention includes an LED bulb and lamp holder to provide an LED lightdevice, night light, or security light which has prong-means orsocket-means to connect to an unlimited power source which directlysupplies current, or to a rechargeable power storage-means such as arechargeable battery, and which does not require any other separatemeans such as wire(s), adaptor(s), or transformer(s) to deliverelectricity from the unlimited power source to the LED device andbuilt-in digital data device. Furthermore, the unlimited power sourcemay use prong means, a socket base lamp holder, and conductive meanswhich do not have a male-female connector construction on the devicehousing, or a USB-cable that directly comes out of the device housing,or a regular 120 Volt 60 Hz plug wire that directly comes out of thedevice housing and connects with the public electricity system for home,house, and public areas. One of the best applications for the currentinvention is as a webcam that can be used for all kinds of computer,laptop, phone, or communication equipment. Conventional webcams arelimited in that they cannot follow moving people or objects so peoplehave to sit in front of the webcam to talk with people. The embodimentof the current invention that provides a USB-cabled light device with acamera head having an auto tracking assembly will make an excellentauto-tracking webcam to let people freely move while talking with otherparties.

Another preferred feature is to include foldable or retractable prongsso that the device can be carried anywhere. The current invention mayhave different constructions that provide an LED night light with abuilt-in digital data device capable of being moved and used anywhere,including a car, motorcycle, boat, bus, truck, or other transportationequipment available in the marketplace so long as the foldable orpush-in/push-out prong-means is incorporated with a properreceiving-means and adaptor-means to connect with a transportationcigarette lighter device.

Furthermore, the DV may have a variety of functions, parts, andaccessories to get desired functions. The DV device parts andaccessories may be selected from different camera heads, kits, lenses,optics means, assembly night vision means, means for detecting motion byimage screen or motion sensor, vibration sensors, sound sensors, storagemeans, SD cards, Mini SD cards, memory sticks, memory means, operationfunctions, power saving circuits, screen touch panels, exposure means,and/or motor means, as well as means for adjusting or selectingclearance, pixels, sharpness, ASA, and so forth.

Another preferred embodiment of the DV device of the current inventionis to add the DV device to a lamp holder and LED bulb. A majority of LEDlights and lamp holders are installed at a position which is higher thanpeople's height, so that they will easily record moving objects withoutany objects blocking the camera shooting directions. Furthermore, thecurrent invention not only can provide an LED bulb or lamp holder with aDV, but also a night light that incorporates a wider angle camera lensso that it can look for moving objects from an unnoticeable position.The current invention also can apply more than one camera head with adivided image on screen to save cost or use only one camera head thatincorporates more than one sensor-means and an IC circuit to calculate aposition or orientation difference to delivery electric signals to amotor-means to move the camera head toward a moving object and therebyprovide an auto tracking camera. Still further, any equivalent or samefunction will still fall within the current invention and can be addedto the preferred DV devices to provide nice, clear digital data andstorage into a memory-means powered by an unlimited power source withoutcausing worry about battery power or bad electric wire installation,unlike the conventional home security equipment.

In embodiments involving a lamp holder, insert means may be provided toconnect with an original lamp holder's receiving means to change thelamp holder's current, functions, current type, voltage, and features,such as changing from AC to DC at a certain voltage and amperage, addingcameras and related parts and accessories, adding LED device currenttriggers, adding IC chips to operate desired functions, adding atracking motor device, adding a sensor(s), adding remote control partsand accessories, adding an infrared nighttime vision function, addingmemory means with related parts and accessories, adding display means,adding transmitter means to transfer digital data to a remote distance,adding auto dialing system, and adding an internet connect function orany other electric or mechanical functions based on market requirements.

The lamp holder may be selected from market-available items, and mayhold one or more light means, including any of an incandescent,fluorescent tube, PL, or LED light for use with a variety of differentbases, which may be in the form of a screw base, bayonet base, two pinbase, twist base, or push and twist base. The lamp holder is connectedwith the unlimited power source when the lamp holder's insert means isconnected with the original lamp holder receiving means so that thepower can be obtained from the original lamp holder's unlimited powersource.

The camera means incorporated with the lamp holder of this embodiment,like the camera means of any of other embodiment, can consist of desiredparts and accessories including lenses, optics means, electric means,mechanical means, circuit means, integrated circuit (IC) means, datadelivery means, data storage means, USB means, cable means, microphonemeans, record means, display means, sensor means, PIR means, IR means,night vision means, flash means, switch means, motion detect means,sound detect means, photo sensor means, motor means, tracking means orother market available parts and accessories to allow people to getdigital image, video, and audio data and record it in memory means orsend/transmit the data to a communication device, computer device,receiver device, and/or display device to provide predeterminedfunctions, effects, and performance.

According to another preferred embodiment, and LED bulb means includes aplurality of LED-units that fit within a bulb housing having anappropriate shape and dimensions, and positive and negative electriccontracts to get power from the power source when the electric-contactsconnect with the power source and the power source is thereby connectedwith the desired electric parts and accessories, which may includecircuit means, IC means, conductive means, switch means, sensor means,remote control means, IR means or other electric or mechanical means tocause the LED-unit(s) and the camera means to be activated with the LEDbulb and its added parts and accessories displaying the above-mentionedpre-determined function(s) and performance(s).

The LED bulb has space to install the camera means on its housing byusing or together with any of the following: joint-means, rotatingmeans, connect-means, spin-means, catch-means, a gear-set, a motor set,control means, IC means, sensor head(s), a tracking assembly, memoryassembly means, display means, screen means, USB means, conductivemeans, digital data delivery means, battery means, rechargeable batterymeans, power fail means, or other means to provide the camera meansbuilt-into the LED Bulb to have desired functions, features, andperformance.

The space in the LED bulb may include a pole(s), block(s), piece(s),and/or compartment(s) having properties that cause the bulb or space tobe extendable, retractable, foldable, rotatable, and/or transformable sothat the related parts and accessories can be installed within.

The camera means may be turned-on and turned-off by sensor means, a PIRsensor head, more than one sensor head(s), remote control means, switchmeans, motion detection means, vibration detection means, heat sensormeans, and/or smoke detector means, so as to take photos, video, andaudio and provide colorful, clear, and sharp digital data to be saved instorage means, shown on a screen, shown on a wireless screen, shown on amonitor(s), or transmitted to a communication device, computer device,Internet device, or auto dialing device.

The LED-units, camera means, sensor means, remote control means, movingLEDs, moving sensor means, moving camera means, motion detection means,heat detection means, smoke detector means, motor means, auto trackingassembly, and so forth can be installed on a fixed housing, movinghousing, or extendable housing, so as to provide a desired sensor range,distance, and angle with a variety of selection options for the camera'spixels, focus range, and/or pictures per second, for video/movie andsound/audio upon activation of the camera means to shoot and store thedigital data into the memory means, communication device, computerdevice, consumer electric device, screen, or monitor(s).

Finally, the light device may also take the form of an EL or LED lightdevice selected from market available light devices such as a nightlight, desk lamp, floor lamp, down light, ceiling light, track light,security light, projection light, outdoor light, indoor light, LED lightfixture, LED light bar, LED picture light, LED closet light, LED doorlight, LED garage light, LED motion sensor light, LED power failurelight, LED motion sensor with auto tracking means, LED patio light, orany other LED light device available from the marketplace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show a lamp holder according to a first preferredembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B shows a lamp holder of a second preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C show a third embodiment of the currentinvention in the form of an LED bulb.

FIGS. 3D and 3E show a fourth preferred embodiment of the currentinvention, also in the form of an LED bulb.

FIGS. 5A 5B, 5C, and 5D show another embodiment of the invention in theform of an LED bulb

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D show a variety of different LED bulb designs whichcan have built-in digital data means and be powered by an unlimitedpower source according to the current invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D show another embodiment of the currentinvention in the form of a light device having built-in digital datameans and powered by an unlimited power source.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a foldable or retractable prong means constructionand details.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, and 9F illustrate a size comparison for atraditional LED night light versus a plurality of market-availableDigital Video/Camera units.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show an embodiment of the current invention whichuses a plurality of suction cups to reinforce the prong means and hold asuper heavy device on a wall outlet cover plate.

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b show another embodiment with a plurality of suctioncups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is a device having digital data means that is powered byan unlimited power source and built-into a lamp holder, LED bulb, orlight device. The following description was included as notes in theoriginal drawings, and are now included herein:

FIGS. 1A-1 c show a device in the form of a light fixture insert 3 dwith a screw-in base 3 b and a built-in camera head 3 f that can bescrewed into an existing light fixture to add digital camera functions,with power being supplied through an elastic terminal at the top of thelight fixture insert when the insert is screwed into the existing lightfixture. The insert includes a socket 3 e into which a bulb may bescrewed to receive power from an unlimited power source through theinsert base 3 b. A sensor 3 c and IC are provided to control movement ofthe camera. By replacing a conventional bulb in the existing lightfixture with the illustrated insert 3 d, a security camera can easily beinstalled without the need for expert installation. When the bulb isthen screwed into the socket, the resulting installation will look likean ordinary light fixture and therefore bad guys will not notice thecamera. The camera can include night vision or infrared capabilities,and tracking features, and the insert may be waterproof to protect thecamera and electronics. The bulb may be an incandescent bulb, or anothertype of bulb such as an LED bulb.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an arrangement similar to that of FIGS. 1A-1C. Inthe arrangements of FIGS. 2A and 2B, like that of FIGS. 1A-1C, thecamera preferably faces downward from a ceiling installation, and themotion sensor or sensor-assembly causes the camera to start recording inresponse to detection of motion in the field of view. As shown in FIGS.3A-3E and 4A-4C, the sensors and/or camera can be extended or retractedand rotated to avoid interference by lamp shades, lamp covers, lampwalls, or other blocking means that otherwise might block a field ofview of the camera or sensor. The device may have multiple rings, eachof which is separately rotatable to enable separate rotation of thesensor(s) and difference camera heads, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3E and4A-4C. As shown in FIG. 3E and FIGS. 5A-5D, the extension may enable theposition, orientation, or angle of the sensor or camera head to bevaried, or enable the sensor to be extended while the lighting featureis within a shade, and the device may further include external lightelements such as lighting elements 31 and 36, as well as additionalsensors such as sensor 30. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, a variety of LEDbulbs may be inserted into the device.

FIGS. 7A-7D show digital video webcam devices with built-in prong meansto connect the webcam directly to an unlimited power source such as awall outlet, and sensors that can be used to provide auto trackingfunctions. It will be appreciated that the video webcam devices areconventional, except that they have been modified to include built-inprong means and various night or emergency lighting features. The webcamdevice of FIG. 7A may include an LED to serve as a night light as wellas a webcam, while the webcam device of FIG. 7B includes foldable prongmeans 7-5, a power fail light 7-10 as well as a night light 7-11, switch7-12, memory card slot 7-13, on/off switch 7-6, camera head 7-9, and USBadaptor 7-7. The device of FIG. 7C is a projection night light withfoldable prong means 7-18, power switch 7-17, photo/video switch 7-16,indicator LEDs 7-14 and 7-15, camera head 7-20, night light 7-21, powerswitch 7-22, USB adaptor 7-23, and LED floor light 7-19. The device ofFIG. 7D is a LED night light with a built-in emergency light function,including foldable prong means 7-24, a memory card and USB adaptorcompartment 7-25, a power input 7-26, a camera head 7-27, an LED nightlight with emergency light function 7-28, an electroluminescent or LEDnight light area 7-29, a battery compartment 7-30, and a foldablecompartment 7-31 for a screen select switch, model selection switch, andsetting switch.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b so devices with foldable or extendable prongs. In FIG.8 a, the prongs are folded or retracted and cannot be used, while inFIG. 8 b, the prongs are extended for use.

FIG. 9 b shows a typical night light, while FIG. 9 b shows a device withmultiple camera heads, which can easily fit within the approximatedimensions of the night light. FIG. 9 c shows a night vision digitalvideo device with a motion sensor that can be upgraded for auto trackingFIGS. 9 d-9 f show extra small and slim digital recording devices thatcan be incorporated into a lighting device according to the principlesof the invention.

FIG. 10A show the location where suction cups, shown in FIG. 10B, may beused to adhere to an outlet cover plate and support the extra weight ofthe combined DV device and lighting fixture when directly plugged into awall outlet. FIGS. 11A and 11B show alternative DV devices arranged,according to the principles of the invention, to be plugged into a walloutlet and to be supported, as necessary, by additional suction cups.

In summary, the invention provides a device having a built-in digitaldata device powered by an unlimited power source that supplies unlimitedpower to the device, the digital data device including at least onecamera having means for capturing images, data, or sound at a desiredshooting angle, resolution, color, brightness, and sharpness, and atleast one of a means for storing the images, data, or sound into amemory and means for transmitting the images, data, or sound to at leastone of a communication device, computer device, phone, receiver device,and display device, the digital data device further including componentsselected from lenses, optical components, electrical components,mechanical components, circuitry, an integrated circuit (IC), datadelivery means, data storage means, a USB port, a cable, a microphone,record means, display means, sensor means, PIR means, IR means, nightvision means, flash means, a switch means, motion detect means, sounddetect means, a photo sensor, a motor, and tracking means. The lightdevice includes a housing and means for emitting light beams, and issupplied with power from the power source by circuitry including atleast one of a controller, switch, sensor, conductors, integratedcircuit, remote controller, and wireless communication means, The lightdevice may be selected from a night light, desk lamp, floor lamp, downlight, ceiling light, track light, security light, projection light,outdoor light, indoor light, LED light fixture, LED light bar, LEDpicture light, LED closet light, LED door light, LED garage light, LEDmotion sensor light, LED power failure light, LED light with autotracking, LED patio light, and LED light device, and may be connectedwith the power source by prongs, a conductive wire with a plug extendingfrom the light device, a USB adaptor, a transformer device, and aninductor device, without the need for a female-male connector.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B, thedevice is in the form of an insert forming a lamp holder with a sockethaving desired lamp socket specifications, said insert being arranged tobe inserted into an existing light fixture.

Preferably, the light device may have multiple function in addition to alighting function, and may include a compartment for extendably,retractably, foldably, or transformably installing accessories thatprovide more than one function.

The digital data means include sensor means having more than one sensorhead and an integrated circuit for controlling an auto tracking assemblythat enables the camera to track moving objects or persons, and/or mayinclude multiple cameras for capturing images of different locations.

The unlimited power source may be an electrical utility power supplysystem for supplying electricity to homes, residences, and businesses.

The invention also provides a web cam having an auto tracking means andpower supply connected to an unlimited power source to a USB interface,the webcam including at least one camera head having means for capturingimages, data, or sound at a desired shooting angle, resolution, color,brightness, and sharpness, a motor, and sensor means for causing themove the camera head to follow a moving object or person, and means forstoring or transmitting data captured by the camera head to one of adisplay, computer, communication device, phone, Internet, website,e-mail, or auto dialing system. The webcam may include a USB adaptor forconnection to a computer or communication equipment with a USB port,with the webcam being activated when connected with the power source tocarry out predetermined image capture functions and to capture digitaldata under predetermined environmental conditions.

The webcam may include suction cups for mounting the webcam to acomputer screen or housing, and multiple camera heads for simultaneouslyviewing multiple areas, as well as a lighting device or devices havingadditional functions.

The webcam preferably further includes prong means for directly pluggingthe webcam into an electrical outlet, and weight supporting means forsupporting the webcam on the outlet, said weight supporting meansincluding at least one of the following: at least one suction cup, glue,double-sided tape, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a chemicalcompound, a connector, an adaptor, and a fitting means, and may bearranged to operate at night or in low light.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device having a built-in digital datadevice powered by an unlimited power source that supplies unlimitedpower to the device, said device including a light device, wherein: saiddigital data device includes at least one camera having means forcapturing images, data, or sound at a desired shooting angle,resolution, color, brightness, and sharpness; means for storing theimages, data, or sound into a memory; and wireless communications meansfor wirelessly transmitting the images, data, or sound to at least oneof a communication device, computer device, phone, receiver device, anddisplay device, said digital data device further includes componentsselected from lenses, optical components, electrical components,mechanical components, circuitry, an integrated circuit (IC), datadelivery means, data storage means, a USB port, a cable, a microphone,record means, display means, sensor means, PIR means, IR means, nightvision means, flash means, a switch means, motion detect means, sounddetect means, a photo sensor, a motor, and tracking means, said lightdevice includes a housing, means for emitting light beams, said lightdevice supplied with power from said power source by circuitry includingat least one of a controller, switch, sensor, conductors, integratedcircuit, and a remote controller, said light device further is selectedfrom a night light, desk lamp, floor lamp, down light, ceiling light,track light, security light, projection light, outdoor light, indoorlight, LED light fixture, LED light bar, LED picture light, LED closetlight, LED door light, LED garage light, LED motion sensor light, LEDpower failure light, LED light with auto tracking, LED patio light, andLED light device, and said light device is connected with the powersource by one of prongs, a conductive wire with a plug extending fromthe light device, a USB adaptor, a transformer device, and an inductordevice.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device includesan insert forming a lamp holder with a socket having desired lamp socketspecifications, said insert being arranged to be inserted into anexisting light fixture.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidlight device has multiple function in addition to a lighting function.4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light device includes acompartment for installing accessories.
 5. A device as claimed in claim1, wherein said digital data means include sensor means having more thanone sensor head and an integrated circuit for controlling an autotracking assembly that enables the camera to track moving objects orpersons.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device includesmultiple cameras for capturing images of different locations.
 7. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unlimited power source is anelectrical utility power supply system for supplying electricity tohomes, residences, and businesses.